About the Department of Anthropology

Laboratories

Analytical Archaeology Laboratory(South Stadium Hall)

This lab contains equipment for basic sediment analysis and other general experimentation. Equipment includes microscopes (polarizing and reflected light), analytical balances, and supporting computer hardware and software.

Historic Archaeology Laboratory(South Stadium Hall)

The Historical Archaeology Laboratory at UT has full processing facilities, a small library of books and articles on artifact identification, and a large type collection of ceramics and glass. Our comparative architectural collection contains construction materials from standing structures that are used to compare archaeological specimens.

Human Osteology Laboratory(South Stadium Hall)

The Human Osteology Laboratories include facilities for skeletal processing, research, and long-term curation. The curation facilities include state-of-the art archival quality storage in acid and lignin-free containers. Research and teaching equipment include computers, standard osteometric equipment, and a 3-D digitizer suitable for collecting coordinate data on cranial landmarks.

Mineral Tissue Histology Laboratory(Anthropology Annex)

The laboratory houses thin section saws and grinder/polishers for preparation of mineralized tissue for light or scanning electron microscopy.

Molecular Anthropology Laboratories(Science & Engineering)

These are designed to extract and analyze DNA templates of differing quality and quantity. While the Modern DNA laboratory is a standard molecular laboratory to deal with high quality DNA templates, the ancient DNA and forensic laboratories deal with highly degraded DNA samples.

Lab research projects vary, but many investigate correspondences between genetics, morphology, and even personal/social/national identity. The labs house up-to-date equipment that operate in conjunction with on-campus core equipment facilities.

Osteometric Variation Analysis Laboratory (OVAL) (South Stadium Hall)

The OVAL is designed to provide the resources necessary for standard, non-invasive analyses of metric skeletal variation. Lab research projects include studies into skeletal variation, osteometric data capture techniques, functional morphology, and morphological integration. These projects utilize the extensive human and non-human skeletal collections of the Department of Anthropology and the Frank H. McClung Museum of Anthropology. Equipment and laboratory access are by permission only.

Paleoanthropology Laboratory (South Stadium Hall)

The Paleoanthropology Laboratory has an extensive collection of high quality casts of fossil hominids and extinct primates. A representative sample of modern primate skeletal material is housed there as well. These resources are used in various research, instructional and outreach programs.

Zooarchaeological Research Facilities (South Stadium Hall)

The main teaching lab for zooarchaeology is located within the Department of Anthropology. This lab is equipped with two specimens each of species occurring mainly in the eastern North America. We also have common domestic species found on historic sites. Also available are seminar teaching space, microscopes and ample bench space. Several other rooms around the main lab house the rest of our extensive skeletal collections. Typically each class is stored in in cabinets in separate rooms. A large series of specimens is available for several species. Any requests or questions about the zooarchaeological comparative collections should be directed to Walter Klippel.